Finance Specialist

Depending on the need, the Finance Specialist would work either in the Finance Group or IPAS Finance. 

The Finance Group (FG) is a critical and strategic business function in UNOPS and serves as an authoritative and integrated partner in the organization on strategic financial planning and budgeting, business strategy and practices, financial analysis and risk assessment, financial project management services and long term organisational treasury and investments. As the steward of resources of a self-financing UN entity, FG is accountable for timely cost recovery and reporting to partners, maintaining the integrity and transparency of financial management of resources in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and organisational/international accountability framework and the accurate and transparent financial reporting to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders. 

In FG the Finance Specialist reports to the Head of Project Finance who provides broad supervision and guidance. As a senior team member the position may also include supervisory responsibility on other team members. The role contributes to the Finance Group's vision of being a true business partner to UNOPS projects, by providing advice on all financial matters for client project delivery to senior management and members of the project teams. This includes establishing aspects of the financial framework within which client projects can operate, from a budget, to a cash management, to an accounting and reporting perspective. The role is part of a centre of excellence, providing seamless, appropriate, relevant and pro-active project specific tools and guidance. The role includes collaboration on project setup, implementation and closure with the Integrated Practice Advisory Service (IPAS) and supports outreach and training on all things related to project finance.

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the UNOPS Integrated Practice Advice and Support (IPAS) serves all the regions and headquarters, primarily with advice and solutions to everyday implementation challenges. IPAS consists of a diverse team of subject matter experts in the six practice areas of HR, Administration, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Project Management and Infrastructure. IPAS has three main roles:

• Support for operations in the field offices: IPAS provides timely advice and supports actively finding solutions to everyday implementation challenges, based on policy and best practices. It also provides operational support in specific areas.

• Business efficiency: IPAS recommends changes to policies, processes and operating standards based on the feedback and experience of the field offices. IPAS also ensures transparent and efficient project implementation, in line with policy and business needs.

• Body of knowledge: IPAS contributes to research and coordination within the policy groups and project practitioners. It provides structured knowledge and subject matter expertise which is used across practice areas to provide coherent and tailored advice to the requesting offices.

IPAS Finance supports UNOPS Country Offices in all aspects of UNOPS finances. Our three major areas of support are:

• ​Project Finance advisory support

• Corporate Financial reporting support

• ​Banking & treasury support

In IPAS, under the supervision of the Financial Management Advisor, the incumbent will work closely with Operations Centers and field offices, primarily to provide everyday support and solutions to corporate implementation initiatives. The incumbent will keep a balance between operational implementation efficiencies and policy/rules requirements, and also contribute towards long-term solutions by channeling practical recommendations through the Finance Senior Manager for improvements in policies and processes for efficient project implementation

*** Please note that we are building a roster of qualified finance professionals who are interested in both short term and long term opportunities.

This is an opportunity to shape UNOPS approach to project finance management. We are currently looking for a Project Finance Specialist to work with the project finance team with solid experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas: 

• Partner interaction on financial matters
• Financial review of project agreements; 
• Project budgeting and accounting; 
• Cost attribution and cost recovery; 
• Project cash management; 
• Client financial reporting; 
• Project financial closure. 

The new colleague is expected to help us rethink and improve our project finance practices and focus our financial project management to support project managers and our donors. The ideal candidate will be a Finance Specialist, with a proven track record in one or more of the areas mentioned above, a sound understanding of international finance management best practices, together with an open mind for innovation, while being focused on delivering practical solutions. 

A good candidate will have an international outlook, experience working in a global or international organisation, ideally with good experience in project financial matters. 

● Minimum 5 years of relevant progressively responsible job related experience in finance or accounting is required ● Knowledge of, and experience with Google Suite applications (Docs, Slides and Sheets), as well as experience in handling web-based management systems is strongly desirable. 

● Demonstrated ability to conduct financial and budget analysis and to apply basic accounting principles and practices is required. 

● International exposure is strongly desirable. 

● Experience in high level stakeholder interaction is desirable.

• Field experience is highly desirable

• Broader experience within more than one management practice is desirable

• Some experience in the UN organizations is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful
implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects
around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve
peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management,
financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging
environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused
professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on
behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of
nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labour force — a
strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We
continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that
encourage the recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and
personal demands.